Apple Announces New iPad

Apple finally officially announced their long-awaited "iPad" tablet PC yesterday. The wi-fi version of this product will be available in late March, but a 3G model is coming in April. The price starts at $499, which is reasonable for Apple.

The iPad is essentially what would result if an iPhone Touch and a MacBook had a baby. Or simply and overgrown iPod Touch.

The iPad has most of the key apps that ship with the iPhone and iPod Touch, including Safari, YouTube, Mail, and Maps. It also comes with the app iBooks, making the iPad a direct competitor to other ebook readers on the market, such as the Kindle. Apple is already seeking people to develop iPad apps to be ready for its release.

The iPad uses the same multitouch technology as the iPhone and iPod Touch. It also uses a touch screen keyboard, though there will also be a "keyboard dock" available to be used with the iPad.

I kind of want one. I don't really really have any practical use for it, since I already have a MacBook, an iPod Touch, and a netbook, and I don't think there's really anything the iPad can do that at least one of those devices can't, but it still seems cool. Since it's so thin and the entire thing is just a giant screen, I'd be afraid that it would break too easily though. Plus, I don't exactly have an extra $500 to spend on random things like this.